H*yas for Choice

I have always been generally aware of the pro-life/pro-choice debate that happens across the country. However, I did not truly understand the layers and complexities of the broader issues of female marginalization. I did not understand how pro-life or pro-choice objectives fit into the framework of women’s rights. What helped me to recognize that women’s rights are human rights is the principle of Reproductive Justice.

Reproductive Justice goes beyond the pro-life/pro-choice argument. The principle focuses on personal body autonomy which includes the right to have children, the right not to have children, and the right to parent children in a safe environment. Of course, abortion is a part of that equation, but the broader aspects include the entirety of the well-being of women, families, and communities.

In order to better understand how the principle of Reproductive Justice is advocated, especially in terms of college students, this article will analyze the efficacy of a Reproductive Justice advocacy artifact, an Instagram feed belonging to H*yas for Choice. H*yas for Choice defines itself in the Instagram bio as a pro-choice, sex-positive reproductive justice group. The group was founded at Georgetown University in 1991. The group’s Instagram feed claims ties to Student Coalition for Reproductive Justice Instagram feed, a student-powered non-profit organization which advocates for reproductive rights at Catholic colleges and universities. Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic university in the United States. In addition to the chapter at GU, SCRJ has established chapters at Santa Clara University, University of Notre Dame, Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, and Seattle University.

Their Focus

The H*yas for Choice Instagram feed advocates for Reproductive Justice Rights as well as the anti-racist and anit-LGBTQ+ movements. The H*yas for Choice Instagram feed was established in 2013 and has grown to 1,211 followers to date. There is a primary focus on reaching college students and addressing their specific reproductive needs such as providing free contraceptive options. In addition, there is a clear commitment to highlighting Reproductive Justice and human rights as a whole. Recently, the group shared a post from Just CARE (Campus Action for Reproductive Equity) California, a group whose goal is to build student power to lift barriers to abortion care on California college campuses. Such a strategy demonstrates a shared advocacy objective among college students from across the nation.

Content

H*yas for Choice uses its Instagram platform to spread information and gain support for the goals of Reproductive Justice. Posts by H*yas for Choice address the type of Reproductive Justice issues that are most relevant to college students such as condom distribution, sexually transmitted disease testing, and free menstrual hygiene products. An examination of the pattern of the Instagram feed reveals that H*yas for Choice’s posts have progressed toward an outlook of intersectionality. Posts regarding Reproductive Justice Rights are often mixed with posts supporting the anti-racism movement and broader gender equality issues. An example is a post titled “In Defense of Black Life” by Black Visions Collective’s Instagram. The group shared a post by Access Atlas informing views about the recent Supreme Court decision striking down Louisiana’s strict abortion law. Support has also been demonstrated for the Black Lives Matter movement by sharing resources and tips on how to effectively protest.

Advocacy Strategies

The Instagram feed of H*yas for Choice is appealing and attracts attention. Posts are up-to-date and shine attention on the advocacy goals of the group. As social media outlets have become more sophisticated, so have the posts of the group. Posts effectively use colors and illustrations in order to make them more engaging to users. Instagram stories and highlights are often used to involve users. The group’s interactive stories allow users to voice their opinions on issues by voting, as well as allow for users to drop in questions or comments. A link in the bio redirects to a Google form where users are able to contact the H*yas for Choice Advo Team to ask questions, set up meet-and-greets, and get more information about activities. Other organizations have tagged the group in posts. These posts are appropriately supportive of the goals of the group. The Instagram feed is appealing to the target audience and has a high level of engagement from users demonstrating that the group’s advocacy goals are being achieved to an extent.

An additional advocacy strategy used by H*yas for Choice’s Instagram feed is support of other groups. H*yas for Choice consistently shares posts from similar organizations with similar goals. I have recently heard two successful activists speak. Both emphasized the importance of sharing information among fellow activists. Groups are more successful when they are supporting other groups. Another strategy H*yas for Choice use is to enlist followers to contact individuals of power and demand change. For example, followers are encouraged to send emails to the school’s administration demanding the implementation of a referendum that would establish the first collegiate reconciliation fund in the country.

Analysis

Using Instagram as an advocacy outlet for student organizations is a beneficial practice. After reviewing several similar feeds, H*yas for Choice did one of the best jobs sharing and promoting current Reproductive Justice information. However, after an evaluation of style, types of posts, and engagement plans, evidence remains that the feed is not as effective as it could be. The feed was established in 2013, yet the number of followers remains relatively low. The feed has just over 1,000 followers at a university that boasts a total enrollment of nearly 20,000 students. Considering how many students have graduated since 2013, the number of Instagram followers should be much higher, even at a Catholic institution. H*yas for Choice should consult more with the SCRJ in order to implement best practices to increase exposure to the target audience.

Conclusion

College students often engage on social media with student-led organizations and are choosy about which ones hold their attention. Advocacy groups need to examine how effective their social media platforms are. H*yas for Choice’s Instagram bio claims that it is pro-choice and sex-positive as well as anti-racist and queer-affirming but does not necessarily explain why. While the feed is interactive and supports access to quality reproductive and sexual health services, the group could do a better job of explaining the principles and history of Reproductive Justice.